【Japan tourism】 Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage trip [No.66] Kyogouzan Senjyuin Unpenji
As the name suggests, Unpenji is a sacred site with an altitude of 911m, which is the highest sacred site in Shikoku near the summit of the Sanuki Mountains. Currently, you can climb from the foot of the mountain to the summit by ropeway.
The address is Tokushima Prefecture, but as a sacred place, it is the beginning of the dojo of Sanuki and Nehan, and it will be “Sekishodera".
Unpenji
| Principal image | Senju Kannon Bodhisattva |
| Honzon mantra | On bazaratarama kiriku |
| Denomination | Shingon Buddhism Goshitu sect |
Place
Temple lodging： none
Phone：0883-74-0066
763 Norouchi, Ikeda-cho, Miyoshi City, Tokushima Prefecture
Gosyuin(red stamp)
History
Kobo Daishi climbed Unpenji three times.
In 789 (Enryaku 8), when he was 16 years old, he first went into the mountains in search of building materials for Zentsuuji Temple ( the 75th temple). It is said that he was inspired by the profound sacred mountain and built the hall on this ground.
In 807 (Daido 7), He visited for the second time for ascetic practices.
In 818 (Konin 9), Kobo Daishi visited for the third time when he was 45 years old. The principal object of worship was carved at the request of Emperor Saga. It is said that the Buddha’s ashes and the Birushana Hoin were placed in the mountains, and a memorial service was held for the seven Buddhas to establish a sacred place.
Unpenji was called “Shikokubo" and became a training ground for monks from all over Shikoku, and it prospered as “Shikoku Koya".
From 859 to 877, it became an imperial temple of Emperor Seiwa. In the Kamakura period, Shichido Garan was also maintained, and there are 12 temples and 8 branch temples in the precincts, and it was also a checkpoint for Awa, Iyo, and Sanuki.
From 1573 to 1592, Chosokabe Motochika, a powerful Tosa clan, encamped in Hakuchi Castle and visited Unpenji. It is said that he aimed to conquer Shikoku by looking down from the mountain behind him, but was warned by the chief priest of the time.
During the Edo period, it received generous protection from the Hachisuka clan, the lord of the Awa domain.
Highlight
【Nioumon】
【A stool and an amulet of an eggplant】
【Gohyaku Rakan】There are 500 life-size 500 rakan statues of Buddha’s disciples enshrined throughout the precincts, welcoming those who come to worship.
Each statue has a different expression and various poses.
summary
There was the only ski resort in Kagawa Prefecture on the site next to Unpenji, which went up to the top by ropeway, but it closed in the spring of 2020. We are giving up on business due to factors such as the decrease in business days due to warm winter and corona, and the increase in the burden of electricity bills for snowmaking due to artificial snow.
After the ski resort closed, it was renewed as Unpenji Sancho Park as a SNS spot with swings in the sky and photo frames in the sky.
When visiting Unpenji, it might be a good idea to stop by the park and enjoy the feeling of being by the clouds, and compose a poem while looking down at the foot of the mountain.
It is about 13km (about 50 minutes by car) to the next 67th bill place “Daikoji"!